It’s clearly evident that practice makes perfect with three of Straughn’s girls varsity athletes.

For the past four years, seniors Tiffany Freeney, Kimberly and Kayla Teel have been under the tutelage of girls coach Scott Kinsaul.

This is the first group of senior girls that Kinsaul has had since becoming the head basketball coach for the Lady Tigers.

When asked what these three have learned under Kinsaul, each said that hard work pays off in the end.

“I think we just learned that if we practice hard — that we always will benefit from it by how it looks at games,” Freeney said. “He’s always emphasized good sportsmanship and playing as hard as you can every day and at every practice.”

Through 17 games this season, their hard work has paid off on the court for each senior.

Freeney averages 7 points per game, 3.5 steals, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game; Kimberly averages 12.7 points per game, 2.7 steals, 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and is the leading three-point shooter; and Kayla averages 8.8 points per game, 5.2 steals, 1.9 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

Each athlete in any sport has a different routine before game time.

Freeney and the Teels’ routine involves figuring out what needs to be done to defeat their opponent’s defense.

“The day before at practice we always work on what we know they are going to do, and what we need to do against their defense,” Kimberly Teel said. “And, just doing the best we can.”

Being leaders on a team can come at a heavy price for many, but Kayla Teel said keeping morale up at practice has been a good tool for leadership this season.

And, as far as what kind of season goals they set before the season began last November, each said they want to make it to the state tournament in Birmingham.

“I think we all want to play our best and do the best we can no matter what,” Freeney said.

This Friday night, the Lady Tigers will hit the road to begin their area tournament at Central-Hayneville’s high school.

In area play during the regular season, the Lady Tigers split with Central.

“We know that we’re going to play our best and win either way,” Freeney said.

Tiffany Freeney is the daughter of Buddy and Lynn Freeney of Andalusia; and Kimberly and Kayla Teel are the daughters of Kenny and Kathy Teel of Andalusia.

Straughn’s first area game Friday night will be at 3:30 p.m. against Calhoun.